Sleep apnea syndrome. Can it induce hemodynamic changes?

Of 250 patients referred to the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic, 35 were diagnosed for a sleep induced apnea syndrome. Thirty of them (27 adults and 3 children) were nonobese and complained of a sleep disorder. In 12 patients (9 adults and 3 children) extensive cardiorespiratory workups were done during sleep and wakefulness. Three types of sleep induced apnea syndrome were identified: diaphragmatic (or central), obstructive and mixed. The diaphragmatic type was predominant in sleep apnea insomnia; obstructive was predominant in sleep apnea hypersomnia. Hemodynamic changes were documented during sleep. Tracheostomy, done in two cases, improved the sleep induced symptomatology.